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No agreement when, or if, special session will begin
Once again, lawmakers adjourned, only to see Gov. Jan Brewer veto parts of the budget they passed. And once again, Brewer announced her intention to bring them back into special session to deal with the consequences.
Foreclosure law repealed: AZ bankers will continue to push for reform
A recently passed state law intended to help small Arizona banks recoup enormous financial losses incurred through waves of foreclosure was quietly stripped from statute as part of a budget agreement signed by Gov. Jan Brewer on Sept. 4.
Pierce to Brewer; Brewer to Dems
Reached by phone, Sen. Steve Pierce reiterated to our reporter today his position that Gov. Jan Brewer should sign the budget that's on her desk. "I've given her my word I would continue to work towards it [the sales tax referral], and in the meantime, she should sign the budget that's there and let the state operate like it should," Pierce said.
Burns appoints Leff as Senate president pro tem
Senate President Bob Burns has appointed a Paradise Valley Republican to the position of Senate President Pro Tempore. Sen. Barbara Leff replaced Sen. Steve Pierce, the majority whip.
New target date for budget: Aug. 20
Arizona lawmakers are planning to send a set of budget bills to the Governor's Office on Aug. 20, after a short floor session today that ended without any action. But that budget plan will not include the proposal for a sales tax referral, something that Gov. Jan Brewer has insisted on for months.
Pierce pulls double duty
On a rack in Steve Pierce’s office sits a cap that declares, “Operation Chaos.” Pierce, a freshman senator from Prescott, wore it while the Legislature passed a set of budget bills in June.
Pierce elected as permanent whip
A freshman lawmaker from Prescott has been elected as permanent majority whip in the Senate. "It's an honor to be able to able to help," said Sen. Steve Pierce. Pierce's election to the post did not come as a surprise.
Senate GOP picks Pierce to fill in as whip
Senate Republicans have postponed a vote to permanently replace Senate Majority Whip Pamela Gorman, who resigned her leadership position earlier in the day. But they did choose a temporary replacement: freshman Sen. Steve Pierce.
Repeal of foreclosure bill included in budget
The budget package passed by the House includes the repeal of a bill that was originally intended to help lenders recoup losses from foreclosed homes.
Bankers won’t oppose repeal of foreclosure bill
Prescott Republican Sen. Steve Pierce has endorsed the repeal of S1271, a measure he shepherded through the Legislature in what he describes as an effort to provide some shelter to community banks that have been pummeled by waves of foreclosures.
Lawmakers: Changes needed on foreclosure bill
UPDATE - Sen. Steve Pierce told the Arizona Capitol Times that his foreclosure bill will have to be fixed, either in special session or next year when the Legislature begins the regular session. Pierce and stakeholders met this afternoon (July 28) to discuss changes to the legislation.
Fewer lawmakers may be present for special session
Fewer lawmakers are likely to be present for the special session July 20. About a third of senators and representatives planned to attend the National Conference of State Legislatures summit in Philadelphia City this week, according to the Senate and the House.
